Design & DIY

Practical guidance for homeowners and self-builders planning a project. Which professional you actually need — drafter, designer or architect — and what each one produces. Free and low-cost CAD tools worth learning, what belongs in a construction document package, and the design decisions worth settling before anything is built. These articles are written for people managing their own project who want to arrive at a professional with clear requirements rather than a rough idea.

Top 5 Free CAD Tools for Beginners
Top 5 Free CAD Tools for Beginners

Jan 10

Five free CAD tools for beginners, what each is good at, and when a project needs professional drawings instead. ...

Small Deck Design: What to Know Before You Build
Small Deck Design: What to Know Before You Build

Jan 9

How to plan a small deck: use, site measurements, permits, materials and a layout that fits the footprint. ...

How to Create a Digital Design Toolkit
How to Create a Digital Design Toolkit

Jan 7

The software, templates, standards and hardware that make up a working digital design toolkit, and how to keep it current. ...

Top 5 Design Tools for DIY Builders
Top 5 Design Tools for DIY Builders

Jan 7

Five planning tools for DIY builders, from a free floor plan app to 3D modeling, and when a measured drawing matters more than the software. ...